He's the One, Jane Beckenham [best new books to read TXT] 📗

eyes roaming over her—all over. “I wondered?” He leant forward and kissed her, gently, at the apex of her breasts, just above the lace bow. Taylor's neck arched back. She gloried in him.

"I hoped,” he said, eyes gazing at the lacy concoction she wore.

Lifting herself up, Taylor slid one leg over Cade. The moment she lowered herself, her sex met his potent force. Clothes might have not existed, the molten heat burgeoning between them so explosive.

As her legs spread wide, and she balanced against Cade, her dress rose up.

Outside, a soft breeze fluttered around the lone vehicle and the shriek of an owl pierced the silence.

Taylor shuddered.

"Maybe the ghost of the mountain is with us,” Cade teased.

Goosebumps slithered up and down her bare skin.

"Hey, I'm here.” And he took her in his arms, rekindling his kisses, hands cupping her breasts, teasing one nipple between his fingers.

"I want you.” A simple statement, potent and full of promise and anticipation. Taylor reached for Cade's zip, sliding it down. He chuckled, “My, how things have changed."

Her hands stilled.

"No, don't stop."

Taylor reached for him, feeling the throbbing power of him in her hand. Her thumb brushed across the tip, and Cade let out a shuddering moan.

"I've created a teaser."

"You taught me well,” she responded. “Lift me."

"Your wish is my command.” Cade cupped her buttocks, his warm fingers kneading her flesh as he did as he was told. She brought the head of him to her center, paused for a second reveling in the sensation as she brushed the tip against her wetness. Then she pushed down. Hard. Fast. Taking all of him.

Her muscles gripped him, thighs tightening as best she could, and rocked. Not gentle, but a frantic race to the finish line. He sucked at her nipples, lathing the buds ‘til they ached, and as he moved from one to the other, the cold air hardened them further.

"Not fair, I want to touch you,” Taylor gripped his shoulders and leaned forward.

"Baby, you already have all of me.” And he pushed himself deeper.

But Taylor reached down between them, girding the base of his erection with her fingers. She trailed her nails across his slick skin, felt the force of his shudder rip through him, to her as she, too, reached her fantasy. Cade—loving her.

Taylor couldn't speak, overwhelmed instead by feelings and emotions. She stared down at Cade. Really looked at him. This man had stood up for her, taken her side, when no one ever had. He believed in her work, liked it—which was good. Cade cared enough to help her with something so personal, something he'd made so exquisite, she'd never forget for as long as she lived.

She kissed the tip of his chin. “Thank you for making it special."

"Just doing what a knight in shining armor does,” he responded. Then, he kissed her back. One long, sweet kiss, full of tenderness and joy and loving.

A heavy contented sigh slid from her lips.

Her knight. It had a certain ring to it.

"Cade, I...” Taylor slammed her lips closed. She'd nearly said it. Oh, my God. The words were on the tip of her tongue, wrapped right around her heart. Three words. Words that until that very moment she hadn't realized were there, or even a part of her.

She loved Cade Harper.

Really loved him.

How was it possible in just a few days? Did love happen like that? Instantly. Where was the courtship, the slow to grow love? This was hot, deep, lustful. Yet it was still real.

She couldn't tell him. Cade didn't believe in love or marriage. He'd said so. And besides, it wasn't part of the bargain they'd made.

What a fool she'd been. She'd done the one thing she said she wouldn't do. She'd fallen for the guy. Fallen for a man who didn't want her.

Cade was the ultimate love and leave ‘em kinda guy, not someone who'd stay. Taylor didn't want part time. She wanted a permanent man.

She did?

That surprised her. Right up until this very minute Taylor hadn't believed she wanted anything. She had never let herself think about it, well, not really.

Yes, you have. Every time you watch your brides walk down the aisle, you imagine it's you.

Totally bewildered by the raw feelings flooding through her, Taylor closed her eyes. She didn't want Cade reading her thoughts, seeing into her soul.

Scare him off!

"Taylor?"

She shuddered. What was she doing? Half naked up a mountain with a man who had no use for her—well only one use, and that would break her heart—eventually.

"I have to get out of here.” Unscrambling herself from Cade's embrace, Taylor skittered across the seat, pulling clothes after her. She wrenched the door open, climbed out into the night and slipped on her dress.

"What are you doing?"

"Exactly what I should have done earlier, instead of listening to my hormones. I'm going home."

"You can't walk home at this time of night."

"There's plenty of light."

"Walking down the side of a mountain?"

"A small hill,” she corrected.

"Whatever.” Cade glanced over the near vertical drop that wound down the extinct volcano. “You'll break your damned neck."

"Not a problem; that'll let you off the hook."

"What the hell are you talking about, Taylor?"

She shook her head. “Nevermind, pass me my purse.” She shrugged on her jacket and battled to stop her teeth chattering at the same time.

"No."

"Give it to me, Cade.” She held out her hand.

"Get in Taylor. I'll take you home. Bloody women. Never can figure them out."

"Dead right there,” she said. “You're right, of course. Walking down Mt. Victoria in the dead of night would be foolish. Silly me.” She closed the door, but kept herself well and truly on the other side of the vehicle.

"Taylor?"

Taylor kept her eyes riveted on the nothingness of the dark night. Her skin tingled just hearing the sound of his voice, the hairs on her arms prickling. Her mouth went dry and as she wiped her lips with her tongue.

Dumb move. She could taste him—all over again.

Cade reached out for her, but she pushed herself toward the door.